[Dixielandjazz] trumpet player's education

[Bill Biffle]

Thanks, Mike, for the advice.  As a harmony singer of almost 30 years
duration, it was pretty tough for me to stick with the melody when I first
began to play DL.  I'm better at it now - embellish a bit, but always have
the melody there when the ensemble is playing.  And I try to remember that
Ruby Braff said he always had the melody - and the words - "running in
background" when he was soloing.

Bill Biffle

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Durham" <mikedurham_jazz at hotmail.com>
To: <bbiffle at swcp.com>; <ringwald at calweb.com>;
<dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>; <jbeebe at centurytel.net>
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 3:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] trumpet player's education


> Bill, another piece of advice that has served me well over the years as a
> trumpet player is 'always keep the melody going somewhere'. It's so long
ago
> I read or heard this, that I have forgotten who said it (probably Jelly
Roll
> Morton). Doesn't mean just play the tune, but it does mean that the
trumpet
> as lead intrument has to keep in touch with the melody, otherwise it makes
> life very difficult for clarinet and trombone to provide counterpoint and
> harmony. Also, the presence of melody (along with a danceable rhythm) is
> what distinguishes OKOM from later jazz styles. Just a thought.....
>
> Mike D.
>
>
> >From: "Bill Biffle" <bbiffle at swcp.com>
> >To: "Robert S. Ringwald" <ringwald at calweb.com>,   "DJML"
> ><dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>,   "Jim Beebe" <jbeebe at centurytel.net>
> >Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] trumpet player's education
> >Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2003 21:59:30 -0700
> >
> >One of the wonders of life is that advice can be had - for free - in this
> >forum from such talented and experienced players as Bob Ringwald and Jim
> >Beebe.   Thanks to you both!
> >
> >Bob, a very good player told me once that, while improvising, one should
> >try
> >to "express a thought.  Complete it if you can.  Then give your audience
> >time to reflect on it." Excellent advice, it seems to me, on how to play
> >fewer notes that mean more.  (with my technical skills - or lack
thereof -
> >this is especially welcome help!  :-)})
> >
> >For the record, of the players I mentioned - leaving Armstrong aside cuz
> >he's in a class by himself - Ruby Braff is my current favorite.  One of
the
> >most musical players I know.
> >
> >I remember Bobby Hackett from the Gleason recordings in the 50s.  I loved
> >them in high school and found them invaluable when impressing a girl with
> >my
> >sophistication!  I'm looking forward to hearing him play more jazz.  Come
> >on, UPS!
> >
> >Thanks, again, for all the wonderful help.
> >
> >Bill Biffle, Leader & Trumpet
> >The Duke City Jazz Band
> >http://www.billbiffle.com/DCJB.htm
> >Albuquerque, NM USA
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Robert S. Ringwald" <ringwald at calweb.com>
> >To: "DJML" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> >Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 9:20 PM
> >Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] trumpet player's education
> >
> >
> > > Bill Biffle bbiffle at swcp.com
> > >
> > > Wrote:
> > >
> > > > Consensus is to listen to more Bobby Hackett.  I've ordered some CDs
> >just
> > > now from Worlds Records.
> > >
> > > (Snip)
> > >
> > >
> > > Hackett was a wonderful player, a one of a kind.
> > >
> > > When listening to him, notice that he plays a lot of notes.  Most tpt
> > > players who do this end up playing garbage--Better to leave holes like
> > > Louis.
> > >
> > > However, Hackett had such a command of chords & chord patterns & had
> >such
> > > exquisite taste, that he can pull it off, & pull it off beautifully.
> > >
> > > In your playing, don't try to fill up all the spaces.  Sometimes the
> >notes
> > > you don't play are just as important s the ones you do.  This is
> >especially
> > > true when playing in an ensemble situation such as a Dixieland front
> >line.
> > > Too many tpt players don't leave any space for the tbn & cl to play.
> > >
> > > Just my opinion.
> > >
> > > --Bob
> > > mr.wonderful at ringwald.com
> > > Placerville, CA  USA
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > > Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> > > http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
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